Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has officially launched its new Travel Store in Karachi, making it the airline’s first experiential retail concept to be rolled out in West Asia. Located in the prestigious Sky Tower, Karachi Towers, on Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue in Clifton, the 183-square-meter store offers immersive experiences grounded in technology, and best-in-class support from dedicated teams on the ground. The store was officially inaugurated by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of His Excellency Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Ambassador of the United…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis lodged 28,000 applications for international protection in the European Union Plus countries between October 2023 and October this year, the EU’s Agency for Asylum (EUAA) said in a Pakistan-specific report released last week. The monthly figures have followed a downward trend since reaching a peak in October last year, when Pakistanis lodged around 3,400 applications. The number for October this year stands at 1,900. Italy was the main receiving country for asylum applications by Pakistanis, followed at a distance by France, Greece and Germany. According to the “Country Focus on Pakistan Report”, EU Plus countries issued around 20,000…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can now perform Umrah at any time of the year. Their Umrah can be organized in several different ways to ensure a seamless and smooth pilgrimage, the ministry said. Pilgrims can purchase an Umrah package on Saudi Arabia’s official digital gateway for pilgrimage services, the Nusuk platform. They can also apply for a visa through accredited visa centers. For those who are transiting through the Kingdom on Saudia Airlines or Flynas, a transit visa can be acquired, enabling them to perform Umrah…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday addressed the critical issue of visa issuance for Pakistani nationals during a high-level diplomatic meeting. The UAE assured Pakistan of its efforts to expedite the visa process for Pakistani applicants. The News reported. The matter was discussed when UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Office (FO). The meeting also included talks on strengthening cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). “Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister and…

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with Pak America Business Forum organized 5th edition of Pak-America Business Summit at a ​M​arriot Hotel in Islamabad. The speakers including U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, RCCI President Usman Shaukat, Former President and Group Leader Sohail Altaf, Chairman PABF Waqar Khan and President PABF Anwar Azam emphasized the critical role of bilateral business relationships in promoting mutual economic prosperity and underscored the ongoing commitment to strengthening economic connections between the two nations. Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, Former Presidents, Kashif Shabbir, Dr. Shimail Daud,…

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a waiver of the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) international tickets, paving the way for significant fare reductions. According to sources in the Privatization Commission (PC), the waiver was granted at the request of the Pakistani government and could result in substantial savings for travellers. Passengers flying to the USA might save up to Rs350,000, while those traveling to Africa and the Middle East could see ticket prices drop by up to Rs105,000. Similarly, flights to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East may offer savings of…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) in collaboration with Alpine Club of Pakistan, World Bank Group, Hashoo Group, Riphah International University, STFP, National Incubation Centers (NICs), COTHM, PNCA, and provincial tourism departments, Punjab Tourism for Economic Development Project and Ignite Technology Fund, successfully commemorated International Mountain Day 2024 with a one-day conference on Sustainable Mountain Tourism, photographic competition and tourism startups exhibition at PNCA Islamabad. The event, aligned with this the theme, “Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Innovation, Adaptation, and Youth,” focused on innovative strategies and sustainable practices to safeguard mountain ecosystems while empowering youth. Large number of people…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume flights to Europe on January 10 after European Union authorities lifted a four-year ban on the carrier, the company said in a statement on Saturday. The statement from PIA, which was at the centre of a pilot licence scandal, said a “PIA flight will depart from Islamabad to Paris on January 10. “Initially, two flights will be operated weekly [on Friday and Sunday], which will gradually be increased.” “We have got approval for the first flight’s schedule we had filed,” PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan had said a day earlier, adding that the…

MADRID: The Middle East’s tourism sector is undergoing a historic transformation in 2024, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain leading the charge. According to new reports from UN Tourism and IATA, these nations are driving exceptional growth in international arrivals and reshaping the region’s global appeal. Qatar has achieved a staggering 141% increase in tourist arrivals, making it the fastest-growing destination in the region, while Saudi Arabia has led in volume with a 61% increase in international arrivals, attracting millions of visitors through its ambitious Vision 2030 initiatives. From record-breaking visitor numbers in Qatar to Saudi Arabia’s transformative…

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways announced the launch of 10 new destinations starting in 2025. This announcement, part of the airline’s rapid expansion programme, fulfils its promise to provide guests with a route map featuring destinations they want to fly to, with connections and frequencies that suit their needs. It also allows Abu Dhabi to extend its renowned hospitality to more visitors from around the globe as a world-class tourism and business hub. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This expansion reflects our commitment to listening to our valued guests. We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experiences, adventures, and…